I saw a nation cry today
As the ashes of loved ones rained.
I stared brokenhearted in disbelief,
At the turmoil, tragedy and pain.
I watched as planes burst into flames,
With people running scared.
I knew my life would change forever,
In that moment I began to prepare.
My children would come home form school that day
And want an explanation.
What should I tell them, that there is such hate,
That a war was thrust upon our nation.
I hoped that we were brave enough
The battle would be long.
I knew right then that many would die
But we would lose if we were not strong.
I watched a mother cry today
As she said goodbye to her son.
He said “Don’t worry. It will be alright”
“I got your back…you carry on”.
She closed her eyes and saw his face
As a child’s, so small and round.
This man that stood before her now
So strong and sure and sound.
“Goodbye my son”, I heard her say
“Be careful, please come back”.
Her hand was held close to her chest
And she asked God for the strength she lacked.
I watched a daughter cry today
As her mother hugged her close.
You see her mom is a U.S. soldier
It’s the profession that she chose.
To defend a country she holds so dear
A freedom each soul yearns for.
The future for her young daughter
Is at stake in this global war.
The soldier leaves behind all this
So that you and I can live,
As if no war were going on
That there was nothing we needed to give.
But there is one thing we need to do
Each day that they are serving
We need be a grateful nation
And thank them for love unswerving.
For they don’t just serve their country
Their families…you…and me
They stand as clear reminders
That freedom has never been free
I saw a nation weep today
As the media began its’ campaign
To bring us down….to make us weak
We may never be the same
To think that soldiers are fighting
Running into danger, into fire
While the men and women cowards in Congress
Meet secretly to conspire
Let’s forget about the planes and NY,
The pentagon and the fields
It will never happen again
We need to get back to our deals
Let’s pretend that the enemy in not conspiring
To seal our fate with death
Let’s pretend they’ll stay over in their caves
That they no longer are a threat
Through World War One and World War II
Through Korea, Persian Gulf and Vietnam
The bravest and the best of freedom
Jumped from planes, took hills and tripped bombs
They didn’t run scared or retreat or give up
Failure was not an option
If evil is allowed to succeed
Freedom will be forever on the run
Thank you to our soldiers
To those parents who wait for the mail
To all the sons and daughters
Who love soldiers who will not fail
And thank you to our leaders
Who recognize the truth
That freedom this day is threatened
Only a victorious battle will pull us through.
I saw a soldier –he did not cry
As his friend, in his arms, lay dying.
You see you cannot fight a war
If soldiers stop for crying.
He must be strong, she must be strong,
For a country is depending.
On the few, the proud the army of one,
And freedom worth defending.
So today when you see any soldier
Say thank you, shake their hand
For it is their sacrifice that made your life possible
A life that is free…and brave in this blessed land.
Kathy Weppner
I want to say a special thank you to Bob who has brought to me a special appreciation for service to others and the creativity for finding ways to help those who have given up so much. A can do attitude is what we all need.
To be grateful for what we have as a nation. Throughout history so much blood has been shed for our God given right to live free. Free from tyranny, free from coups, free from gorillas, free from snipers, free from bombers… We all live free because throughout history brave men and women have stepped up to fight evil. God Bless these men and women of the US military who answer a call to protect and serve.
